Cosimo I de Medici

The son of Giovanni delle Bande Nere (see Family Medici), was named Duke of Florence in 1537, and the Grand Duke of Tuscany in 1569. Under him were founded the Botanical Gardens of Pisa and Florence.

Cosimo was able to re-evaluate the art, fostering various works that improved the appearance of the already beautiful Florence. All this helped to remind his government as one of the wisest and cultural city.

There were many works by Cosimo I de' Medici, the most important we remember the creation of the Uffizi Gallery, the expansion of the Palazzo Pitti, the termination of the work of the Boboli Gardens, the realization of the Corridoio Vasariano (Vasari Corridor).

He was the author of studies cosmographic and made to perform from monaco Egnatio Danti the maps of all the known world.

The collection of scientific marvels started by him constitutes the original nucleus of the Medici collection stored on the first floor of the Museum.